Timer mechanism



T. R. STONER TIMER MECHANISM June 23, 1959 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1955 v mwmwk. 3

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ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiiee A 2,891,406 Patented June 23, 1959.

TIMER MECHANISM Theodore R. Stoner, Stevens Point, Wis.

Application May 20, 1955, Serial No. 509,862

10 Claims. (Cl. 74-2) The present invention relates to timer mechanism for governing the action of control means such as valves.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved timer mechanism which is adapted for use in connection with the actuation of a valve or the like, and which is reliable and accurate in operation.

Another object is to provide a timer mechanism which minimizes drag on a timer movement or clockwork of the mechanism during the timing period.

Still another object is to provide a timer mechanism which is simple, durable, and inexpensive and which is capable of easy assembly.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. l is a front view of a timer mechanism of the invention as applied to a valve, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section, and the valve being shown in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken generally on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, showing the timer mechanism as it appears near the end of a timing period, immediately before'closing of the valve;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the valve in open position, and showing the timer mechanism as it appears at an intermediate point of the timing period;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing the timer mechanism tripped to valve-closing position;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a frame assembly of the timer mechanism, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a side view of a setting shaft, parts being shown in section;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a coupling hub or collar;

Fig. 8 is a rear view of a clockwork and attached mounting ring, and

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing a manually operable adapter applied to the valve in substitution for the timer mechanism.

In the drawing, 15 designates a valve, and 16 designates a timer device or unit which is detachably associated with the valve, as hereinafter described. By way of example, the valve 15 may be a drain valve for controlling the regeneration and rinsing period in a water softener.

The valve 15 may assume various forms and is here shown to include a T-shaped valve body 17 having a downwardly projecting screw-threaded outlet portion 18 which is secured to a suitable hollow support 19, such as the drain chamber section of a water softener valve casing. The head section of the valve body 17 has aligned bores 20 and 21 at opposite ends, the bore 20 forming a water inlet chamber and the bore 21 forming a socket, and there being a radial set screw 22 in the valve body at the socket-forming bore 21. The inlet chamber or borev 20 communicates with the-outlet portion 18 by way of a valve port 23 coaxial with this bore. A valve seat 24 surrounds the entrance of the valve port and cooperates with a poppet-type valve member 25v comprising a stem 26 secured to a cupped head 27, the

head carrying a packing washer 2.8 engageable with the valve seat. The valve stem is slidable in a bore 29 formed coaxially in the head section of the valve and is suitably sealed as by a surrounding O-ring 30, such as of neoprene, retained in a counterbore 31 by a pressedsleeve 32. The free end of the valve stem is coaxially disposed in the end bore 21 of the valve body. The

inlet end of the valve body is suitably closed, as by a closure fitting or screw cap 33 threaded into the bore 20. 20 and is here shown to be connected to the screw cap. 33. A compressed coil spring 35, such as ofPhosphor bronze, is seated in an axial bore 36 formed in the cap 33 and engages the valve head 27 to urge the valve member to closed position, the valve head having a central guide boss 37 for the spring. In the closed positionof the valve member 25, the water pressure in the inlet bore 20 increases the closing pressure on the valve member.

The timer device or unit 16 for the valve includes a cup-shaped cylindrical casing 38 on the rim portion of which is pressed and sealed a cup-shaped rear coveror closure 38, the cover being applied after mechanismhereinafter described is installed in the casing. The casing is provided at one side with a radially extending cylindrical shank 39 through which is formed a coaxial bore 40 with a counterbore 41 at its outer end. The casing shank 39 slidably fits in the end bore or socket 21 of the valve body and is detachably secured therein by the set screw 22, Fig. 3, the set screw seating in an annular groove 42 formed around the shank.

A valve-opening plunger or tappet rod 43 is slidable in the shank bore 40 in alignment with the valve stem 25 and has a head 44 at its inner end within the casing 38. The plunger is sealed by an O-ring 45 seated in the counterbore 41 and confined therein by a pressed sleeve 46. A downwardly projecting radial drain bore 47 is formed in the shank 39 and sleeve 46 and communicates with a similar bore 48 formed in the head of the valve body, thus providing for relief of any accidental water leakage past the O-ring 30 in the valve body. The plunger 43 is urged outwardly in the sleeve 46 to open the valve, as hereinafter described.

The cup-shaped casing 38 has a front Wall 49 which is provided with a coaxial hub 50. The hub-50 extends both inwardly and outwardly from the wall 49 and has formed therethrough a bearing bore 51 with a counterbore 52 at. its-outer end. A shaft-sealing O-ring 53, Fig. 2, is seated in the counterbore 52 and is confined therein by a pressed sleeve 54. A setting and valve-opening shaft 55 is journalled in the bearing bore 51 and sleeve.

54 and has a projecting squared front end 56 on which a knob or dial 57 is suitably secured for rotating the shaft through apredetermined angle. The casing front wall 49 has a stop lug or pin 58 which determines the stopping position of the knob at the end of a timing operation, and has a second stop lug or pin 59 which limits the maximum angular travel of the knob during setting. If desired, the casing front wall may also be provided with scale indicia 60, Fig. 1.

The inner portion of the setting shaft 55 has formed integrally thereon a pair of axially spaced diametrically extending cross bars 61 and 62 of rectangular crosssection, the front bar 61 slidably bearing on the inner face ofthe casing hub 50 to preventoutward displacement of the shaft. A cylindrical cam-forming pin 63 is carried by and extends between the setting shaft cross bars 61" and 62 in parallel relation to the shaft axis and has'its end A water inlet tube 34 communicates with the bore portions seated in aligned bores 64 and 65, Fig. 6, formed in the respective bars, the front bore 64 forming a socket closed at its front end, and the rear bore extending through the rear cross bar 62 to permit insertion of the pin. The cam-forming pin 63 is held in position by a retaining pin 66 which is pressed into a diametrically extending bore 67 drilled through the shaft bar 62 and intersecting the bore 65. The pin 66 projects radially from the bar 62 to form a tripping arm, as hereinafter described.

Secured within the cup-shaped casing 38 is a mounting frame-or support 68, shown separately in Fig. 5. The frame comprises a pair of flat C-shaped frame plates 69 which slidably fit within the cylindrical casing, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and extend about the inner end portion of the setting shaft 55, the planes of the frame plates being perpendicular to the axis of the setting shaft. The gap between the ends of the C-shaped frame plates is disposed at the side of the casing adjacent to the valve-opening plunger 43, and the plunger is movable into the gap. The plates are axially spaced by washers 70 and are secured together by a plurality of tubular spacer sleeves 71 which extend in parallel relation to the setting shaft axis and are spaced about this axis. The sleeves 71 have reduced shoulder-forming front end portions 72 which pass through the frame plates and the interposed spacer washers70, and spacer collars 73 are pressed on and riveted to the front ends of the respective reduced sleeve portions 72. The front ends of the spacer collars 73 abut against the rear face of the casing front wall 49, and the assembled frame 68 is secured to the casing by headed screws 74 passing through the spacer sleeves 71 and threaded into the casing front wall. A flat apertured mounting ring or disk 75 abuts against the rear ends of the spacer sleeves 71 and is secured thereto by the screws 74, the plane of the ring being perpendicular to the axis of the setting shaft.

- A time movement 76, such as a springdriven clockwork of conventional construction, includes a frame 77 which is disposed between the mounting ring 75 and the setting shaft 55 and is rigidly secured at its rear portion to the mounting ring, as by nutted screws 78. The clockwork further includes an arbor or time shaft 79 driven by a spirally coiled leaf spring 80 and disposed coaxially of the setting shaft. The arbor or time shaft is provided with the usual slipping friction clutch 81, Fig. 2, permitting the arbor to be manually turned in a counterclockwise direction from a running position to its terminal stopping position. On the knurled frontend of the time shaft is pressed a coupling hub or collar 82 having at its front face a diametrically extending groove or channel 83 of rectangular cross-section loosely receiving therein the rear cross bar 62 of the setting shaft, thus providing a direct drive between the setting shaftand time shaft and obviating the need for exact alignment of these shafts. The setting shaft, in effect, forms a front extension of the time shaft. Manual rotation of the setting shaft in clockwise direction by the knob 52 will rotate the clockwork time shaft and wind the spring of the clockwork, thus starting the timing action of the clockwork; and rotation of the time shaft in timing direction by the clockwork will rotate the setting shaft. The clockwork may have any suitable maximum timing period, for example one hour in the case of a valve for use in a domestic water softening system.

One end of the assembly comprising the two C-shaped frame plates 69, here shown to be the lower end, terminates at one of the spacer sleeves 71, and the other end of this plate assembly carries a transversely extending pivot pin 84 which is parallel to the axis of the setting shaft. A carrier lever 85 formed of a flat metal stamping has its upper end loosely fitting between the frame plates and pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 84. The lower free end of the lever extends into the space between the lower portions of the frame plates and is loosely confined or guided by these plates against lateral deflection. At

apoint about midway of its 7H in,

length the lever 85 is formed with a convex arcuate edge 86 which is adapted to bear on the flat end face of the head 44 of the valve opening plunger 43. A headed pivot pin 87 extends transversely of the lever 85 concentrically of the arcuate edge 86 and carries a rockably mounted pusher plate 88. The pusher plate is yieldably held in its normal position by a coiled tension spring 89 having its lower end secured to a laterally bent apertured peripheral portion 90 of the pusher plate and having its upper end anchored on the front end of a headed pin 91 extending transversely through the upper portions of the frame plates 69. The

edge of the rockable pusher plate 88 facing the setting shaft has upper and lower cutaway portions or pockets 92 and 93 separated by a projection 94, the lower pocket 93 being at a greater radius from the pivot pin 87 than the upper pocket, and the walls of the lower pocket being engageable by the cam pin 63 of the setting shaftduring the setting rotation of this shaft in order to open the valve. The setting rotation is clockwise as seen in Figs. 1 and 3. When the valve is stripped to closed position, the upper pocket 92 accommodates the setting shaft as seen in Fig. 4, and the lower pocket 93 is close to the cam pin 63.

The pusher-carrying lever is releasably held in valveopening position by a rockably mounted arcuate latch lever 95 formed by a flat sheet metal stamping. The latch lever is loosely confined between the spaced frame plates 69 in parallel relation thereto and is pivoted at its lower end on a headed pivot pin 96 extending transversely throught the frame plates. The pivoted end of the latch lever presents a heel 97 with an arcuate shoulder-forming. edge 98 concentric with the pivot pin 96. The shoulderforming lever edge 98 vis engageable with the pointed lower free end of the pusher-carrying lever 85 when the. valve is in open position, as seen in Fig. 3. The free end of the arcuate latch lever 95 is disposed at the side of the armed setting shaft remote from the lever pivot 96 and carries a stud 99 which is parallel to the setting shaft axis and lies in the path of the radial tripping pin 66 carried by the setting shaft. The stud 99 is of sufficient length to permit mounting of the tripping pin 66 on either the setting shaft or the time shaft hub 82. The latch lever 95 is urged in latching direction by a wire torsion spring 100 having a coiled portion 101 surrounding the latch lever pivot pin 96. The spring includes an arm 102, Fig. 4, with a bent end 103 saddled over the concave edge of the arcuate latch lever, and another arm 104 which bears against a stop pin 105 secured transversely through the frame plates 69, the stop pin limiting the travel of the latch lever in spring-urged latching direction, as seen in Fig. 3. The arcuate shape of the latch lever 95 avoids interference with the setting shaft 55 and the carrier level The timing device or unit 16 is removable from the valve 15 in order to facilitate shipment, inspection, repairs and replacements. Upon withdrawal of the casing shank 39 from the valve body 17 the valve member 25, if not already closed, will be moved to closed position by the coiled compression spring 35. 1 V

In order to permit testing and manual operation of the valve when the timing device is removed from the valve, the timing device is temporarily replaced by an adapter or actuator 106, Fig. 9. a The adapter comprises a plug 107 detachably secured in the valve body bore or socket 21 and having an axial screw 108engageable with the end of the valve stem 26, the outer end of the screw having a knurled handwheel 109. In setting up the device for use, the valve 15 is screwed into the hollow support *19 and is connected with the inlet tube 34. The time control device 16, which is a separate unit, is then' attached to the valve body by inserting the casing shank 39 therein and tightening the set screw 22. I

' In operation," when the time-controlled valve is to be opened and'maintainedin open position for. a predetermined timeinterval, the setting knob 57 is manually turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, from an initial position determined by the stop lug 58 to the final position determined by the stop lug 59, or to any selected intermediate position. In the case of a one-hour clock with the stop lugs in the illustrated positions, the maximum timing period will be approximately 35 minutes. In the clockwise rotation of the setting shaft the clockwork arbor or time shaft 79 is rotated through the same angle by the coupling connection between them, thus winding the clockwork 76 which will then run for the predetermined time interval. During the first part of the setting shaft rotation, the cam pin 63 on the setting shaft engages the rockably mounted pusher plate 88 in the pocket 93 thereof and by cam action displaces the pusher-carrying lever 85 and plunger 43 outwardly to open the valve, the rounded edge 86 of the lever 85 rockably bearing on the end face of the plunger head 44. During this operation, the pointed free end of the lever 85 has a wiping action on the heel 97 of the latch lever 95, causing a momentary angular displacement of the latchlever until the pointed lever end passes the latch lever heel, whereupon the spring-urged latch lever swings backward to latching position, as seen in Fig. 3, the pointed end of the lever 85 engaging the latch lever shoulder 93. The plunger 43 is thus held in advanced position by the latch lever. If the time interval to be set exceeds a few minutes, the cam pin 63 WlllI'OQk the pusher plate 88 farther, finally passing the pusher plate projection 94, whereupon the spring 89 will return the pusher plate to the normal position seen in Fig. 3. During the return timing rotation of the clockwork time shaft and the setting shaft to their initial positions, the cam pin 63 on the setting shaft will pass the pusher plate projection 94 which is then out of the path of travel of the cam pin, minimizing drag on the clockwork. However, in cases where the projection remains in thepath of travel of the cam pin, the cam pin will idly rock the spring-controlled pusher plate without displacing the plunger-actuating lever 85. Near the end of the timing travel, the tripping pin 66 on the setting shaft engages and displaces the stud 99 on file latch lever 95 and angularly displaces the lever through a small angle to release the heel 97 of the latch lever from the free end of the carrier lever 85, whereupon the valve snaps to closed position under urge of the spring 35, displacing the lever 85 inwardly and bringing the pusher plate to a position near the setting shaft in readiness for a subsequent setting operation.

If it is desired to close thevalve while the clockwork is running, or has prematurely stopped, the knob 57 is manually turned to-its initial position, thus tripping the latch so as to effect spring-urged closing of the valve. This manipulation may also be effected when it is desired to test the mechanism. It is also possible to close the valve by temporarily detaching the timer device 16 from the valve body.

In shipping the apparatus it is usually desirable to pack the demountable timer device separately from the valve. The timer device is a sealed unit, thus minimizing en trance of dirt and moisture during storage and shipment, and also when the device is in use.

While the timer mechanism of the invention has been described in connection with a water softener valve, it may be used for other valves, such as for washing machines and lawn sprinkling systems. The mechanism may also be employed to control various other instrumentalities, including gas valves, such as for ovens and incinerators.

Cross reference is made to applicants copending application for Time-Controlled Valves, Serial No. 283,081, filed April 18, 1952, now abandoned.

I claim:

1. In a timer mechanism, a casing, a shaft journalled in said casing for rotation in opposite first and second directions, a C-shaped frame secured in said casing and extending about said shaft, said C-shaped frame having a gap between its end portions adapted to admit a member to be actuated, said shaft being rotatable in said first direction from a starting position and in the second direction back to the starting position, an actuating lever extending between the end portions of said C-shaped frame and pivotally mounted on one of said end portions, said lever being normally urged inwardly toward said shaft to a first position, means operable by said shaft during its rotation in the first direction for swinging said actuating lever outwardly to a second position, latch means carried by said frame for releasably retaining said actuating lever in its second position, and means controlled by said shaft during the terminal part of its rotation in the second direction for releasing said latch means.

2. In a timer mechanism, a shaft rotatable in opposite first and second directions, a frame including a pair of fiat parallel frame plates extending about said shaft with their planes transverse to the shaft axis, said plates defining a slot-like space between them, an actuator lever disposed between and pivoted to said plates and having pivoted and free end portions laterally confined in said slot-like space by said plates, said lever being swingable to first and second positions in a plane transverse to the shaft axis and normally urged to said first position, means operable by said shaft during its rotation in the first di rection for swinging. said lever to its second position, a latch lever laterally confined between and pivoted to said plates and releasably engageable with said actuator lever for holding said actuator lever in its second position, and means controlled by said shaft during its rotation in the' second-direction for releasing said latch lever.

3. In a timer mechanism, a shaft rotatable in opposite' first and second directions, frame means extending about said shaft and defining a slot-like space the plane of which extends transversely of said shaft, said slot-like space having confronting parallel walls, an actuator lever pivoted to said frame means and having pivoted and free end portions laterally confined in said slot-like space, said lever being swingable to first and second positions in a plane transverse to the shaft axis and normally urged to said first position, means operable by said shaft during its rotation in the first direction for swinging said lever to its second position, a latch lever pivoted to said frame means and having its pivoted portion laterally confined in said slot-like space by said walls, said latch lever being swingable in a plane transverse to the shaft axis and being releasably engageable with said actuator lever for holding said actuator lever in its second position, and means controlled by said shaft during its rotation in the second direction for releasing said latch lever.

4. In a timer mechanism, a shaft rotatable in opposite first and second directions, an actuating lever swingable to first and second positions, a pusher rockably mounted on said lever about an axis parallel to the lever axis, a spring engaging said pusher for urging said lever to its first position and for yieldably restraining rotation of said pusher from a normal position, said shaft having a part releasably engageable with said pusher during the rotation of said shaft in said first direction for swinging said lever to its second position, latch means releasably retaining said lever in its second position, said spring holdmg said pusher out of the path of travel of said pusher displacing shaft part when said lever is in its second position, and tripping means controlled by said shaft during its rotation in the second direction for releasing said latch means.

5. In a timer mechanism, a rotatably mounted shaft having a camming part and rotatable in opposite first and second directions, a shiftably mounted actuator movable between first and second positions, a pusher rockably mounted on said actuator, resilient means yieldably holding said pusher against rotation from a normal position and urging said pusher toward said shaft to its first position, said camming part of the shaft being releasably engageable with said pusher when said shaft is rotatable in one direction for urging said actuator to its second position, latch means for holding said actuator in said second position, said resilient means holding said pusher out of the path of travel of said shaft and its camming part when said actuator is latched in its second position, and tripping means including a part operatively engageable with said latch means for releasing said latch means.

6. In a timer mechanism, a shaft rotatable in opposite first and second directions, said shaft having axially spaced portions with aligned bores parallel to the shaft axis, a pin seated in said bores and extending between said shaft portions, one of said shaft portions having a transverse bore intersecting the pin-receiving bore in said shaft portion, a tripping arm secured in said transverse bore and axially confining said pin, shiftably mounted actuating means normally urged to a first position and displaceable to actuated position by said pin during the rotation of said shaft in said first direction, and latch means releasably holding said actuating means in actuated position, said tripping arm being operatively engageable with said latch means for releasing said latch means.

7. In a timer mechanism, a shaft rotatable in opposite directions, a frame extending about said shaft, an actuator lever pivotally carried by said frame and swingable toward and away from said shaft to respective first and second positions, yieldable means urging said lever to its first position, a, pusher rockably carried by said lever to turn on an axis parallel to the shaft axis, resilient means yieldably holding said pusher against rotation from a normal position, said shaft having a camming part releasably engageable With said pusher when said shaft is rotatable in one direction for urging said lever to its second position, latch means holding said lever in its second position, said latch means including a latch lever pivotally mounted at one end portion on said frame to turn about an axis parallel to the shaft axis, said latch lever having a latching part near its pivotal axis engageable with said actuator lever and having a releasing part adjacent to its other end, and tripping means having a member engageable with said releasing part of said latch lever for angularly displacing said latch lever to releasing position.

8. In a timer mechanism, a shaft rotatable in opposite directions, a shiftable member normally urged to a first position, a toggle-forming pusher rockably mounted on said shiftable member and having an abutment portion, resilient means yieldably holding said pusher against rotation from a normal position, said shaft having a camming part releasably engageable with said abutment portion during the rotation of said shaft in one direction to rock said pusher and move said shiftable member to a second position, said abutment portion being disposed out of the path of said camming part when said shiftable member is in its second position to permit freepas-' sage of said camming part past said abutment when said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, latch means releasably holding said shiftable member in its second position, and tripping means including a part operatively engageable with said latch means for relasing said latch means.

9. In a time-controlled mechanism, a shaft rotatable in opposite first and second directions, a reciprocable member movable to first and second positions and normally urged to said first position, a pusher member movable toward and away from the axis of said shaft and rockably mounted on said reciprocable member to turn about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, resilient means yieldably holding said pusher member against rotation from a normal position, said shaft having a camming part engageable with said rockably mounted pusher member during the rotation of said shaft in said first direction for displacing said pusher member in a direction away from said shaft axis to move said reciprocable member to its second position, latch means for releasably holding said reciprocable member in its second position, and tripping means including a part operatively engageable with said latch means for releasing said latch means.

10. In a time-controlled mechanism, a shaft rotatable in opposite first and second directions, a reciprocable member normally spring-urged to a first position, a pusher member movable toward and away from the axis of said shaft and rockably mounted on said reciprocable member to turn about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, said pusher member having an abutment portion, resilient means yieldably holding said pusher member against rotation from a normal position, said pusher member being roekable about its axis against the restraint of said resilient means, said shaft having a camming part engageable with said abutment portion during the rotation of said shaft in said first direction for rockably displacing said pusher member in a direction away from said shaft axis to move said reciprocable member to a second position, said abutment portion being disposed out of force-transmitting position with respect to said camming part during the rotation of said shaft in the second direction, latch means for releasably holding said reciprocable member in its second position, and tripping means including a part operatively engageable with said latch means for releasing said latch means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 339,888 Hinds Apr. 13, 1886 2,258,474 Simmons Oct. 7, 1941- 2,315,774 Couzens Apr. 6, 1943 2,614,395 King Oct. 21, 1952 2,653,659 Bloom Sept. 29, 1953 2,700,308 Batchelder Jan. 25, 1955 

